IADC Comments on BSEE Proposed Rule on Blowout Preventer, Well Control Requirements

IADC Comments on BSEE Proposed Rule on Blowout Preventer, Well Control Requirements

Houston, Texas (13 April 2015) – The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) issued a proposed rule today regarding blowout preventer (BOP) requirements, and reforms in the areas of well design, well control, well monitoring and subsea containment. In response, International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) President and CEO Stephen Colville issued the following statement:

“IADC welcomes regulation that is both sensible and transparent and we are very interested in the opportunity to work with BSEE on regulation that enables operations while protecting our people and the environment

Our industry did not wait for BSEE’s regulations to make major changes to our operations and procedures. In the last 5 years, we have worked collaboratively to understand the failures of the Macondo incident and as a result have developed and instituted major changes with regard to equipment, procedures and safety protocols to protect against another well control incident of this magnitude happening again.

IADC’s members will be participating in joint industry workgroups to carefully consider and prepare a response to the finer points of this comprehensive and detailed proposal. Our drilling contractor members will be particularly interested in how the proposal addresses the topics of BOP Equipment and Inspection and Maintenance.”

About IADC

Since 1940, the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) has exclusively represented the worldwide oil and gas drilling industry. IADC’s mission is to catalyze improved performance for the drilling industry by enhancing operational integrity and championing better regulation to facilitate safer, cleaner and more efficient drilling operations worldwide. For more information, visit the IADC website at www.iadc.org.